Sociology of Religion Practice Questions
Course Introduction
Sociology of Religion explores the complex relationship between religion and society, examining how religious beliefs, practices, and organizations influence and are influenced by social structures, cultural norms, and historical contexts. The course covers foundational theories and concepts in the sociology of religion, such as secularization, ritual, religious identity, and the role of religion in social integration and social conflict. Students will analyze contemporary issues such as religious pluralism, fundamentalism, interfaith dialogue, and the intersection of religion with race, gender, and politics. Through case studies and comparative approaches, the course aims to develop a critical understanding of how religion shapes and is shaped by modern social life.
Recommended Textbook
The Anthropology of Religion Magic and Witchcraft 3rd Edition by Rebecca L. Stein
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11 Chapters
651 Verified Questions
651 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: The Anthropological Study of Religion
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In an analytic definition of religion,the study of the organization and leadership of a religious system represents the:
A)social dimension
B)ritual dimension
C)institutional dimension
D)narrative dimension
Answer: C
Q2) The essentialist definition of religion emphasizes that region is the domain of the extraordinary.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q3) All societies have clearly understood terms to label the domain of culture we call religion.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
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Page 3
Chapter 2: Mythology
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58 Verified Questions
58 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Franz Boas and Bronislaw Malinowski are representative of proponents of the:
A)structural analysis of myth
B)psychological analysis of myth
C)functional analysis of myth
D)evolutionary analysis of myth
Answer: C
Q2) The evolutionary school in the nineteenth century associated myths with:
A)the "primitive period"
B)the transition to modern times
C)full modernity
D)the future
Answer: A
Q3) The story of crocodiles living in the sewers of New York City is an example of a:
A)historical fact
B)urban legend
C)myth
D)folktale
Answer: B
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Chapter 3: Religious Symbols
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59 Verified Questions
59 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is an acrostic? Give an example.
Answer: An acrostic is a type of poem or other form of writing in which the first letter, syllable, or word of each line, paragraph, or other recurring feature in the text spells out a word, message, or the alphabet. Acrostics are often used as mnemonic devices to aid memory retention. The word or message spelled out by the acrostic can be directly related to the content of the text or can be a separate theme or subject.
Here is an example of an acrostic poem where the first letters of each line spell out the word "NATURE":
Nestled in the wilderness, untouched and free, Azure skies stretch out above a verdant sea. Trees stand tall, their leaves whispering with the breeze, Underneath, a world of creatures lives with ease. Rivers flow, carving paths through the earth, Every moment in nature is a moment of rebirth.
In this example, the acrostic emphasizes the theme of the poem, which is the beauty and vitality of nature.
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Chapter 4: Ritual
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Sample Questions
Q1) Examples of prescribed,periodic rituals include all of the following except:
A)Diwali
B)Quinceañeras
C)Passover
D)Ramadan
Q2) Closely related to tattooing is scaring.Scarification is known as:
A)corseting
B)cicatrization
C)infibulation
D)nullification
Q3) Generally speaking protective rituals tend to be performed in situations that are dangerous and unpredictable.
A)True
B)False
Q4) A prescriptive ritual that one that is:
A)performed because of the will or desire of a deity
B)associated with critical events in the life of an individual
C)involved with an altered state of consciousness
D)celebrated on a ritual calendar
Q5) What are some of the religious obligations that you see in your own community?
Page 6
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Chapter 5: Altered States of Consciousness and Religious Specialists
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51 Verified Questions
51 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Characteristics of an altered state of consciousness include:
A)attachment of new meaning to experiences
B)perceptual distortions and hallucinations
C)sudden and unexpected displays of emotional extremes
D)all of the above
Q2) Pain,caused by placing skewers through the skin,characterizes the Cheyenne Sun Dance.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Marijuana is used in the religious practices of the:
A)Holiness Church
B)Rastafarians
C)Yanomamö
D)Native American Church
Q4) The Jewish Yom Kippur and the Islamic Ramadan are both characterized by:
A)fasting
B)ingestion of wine
C)spirit possession states
D)meditation
Q5) How do biologists and psychologists explain altered states of consciousness?
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Chapter 6: Religious Specialists
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Sample Questions
Q1) Shamans are frequently individuals who are driven to become shamans because of illness including mental illness.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Religious specialists who are usually responsible for the performance of prescribed,periodic rituals are:
A)shamans
B)diviners
C)priests
D)healers
Q3) A complex series of priesthoods where political authority is vested in the priesthood characterizes the:
A)Zuni
B)Akimel O'odham
C)Navaho
D)Cahuilla
Q4) What methods does a shaman use to cure an illness?
Q5) How does a priest differ from a shaman?
Q6) Describe the role of priests as political leaders in Zuni society.
Page 8
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Chapter 7: Magic and Divination
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59 Verified Questions
59 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Explain the difference between prophets and mediums.
Q2) Divination refers to method for:
A)controlling the behavior of spirits and deities
B)controlling events of nature
C)obtaining information about the normally unknowable
D)curing illness
Q3) Divination can be used to:
A)determine the cause of an illness
B)provide the result of an undertaking that is about to begin
C)locate game for hunters
D)all of the above
Q4) The Law of Contact (Contagion)states that:
A)magic depends on the apparent association between things
B)things which are alike are the same
C)things that were once in contact continue to be connected
D)none of the above
Q5) The Azande utilize medicines that are objects in which supernatural power resides.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 8: Souls, ghosts, and Death
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65 Verified Questions
65 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What are the several functions of death rituals or funerals?
Q2) Culture places meaning on physical and biological events.How does culture redefine death among the Tana Toraja?
Q3) In some societies souls may be acquired during one's lifetime,such as through a vision.This is found among the:
A)Jivaro
B)Yanomamö
C)Shoshoni
D)Beng
Q4) The Viking draugr was a(n):
A)animated corpse that could wander the countryside,much like a vampire
B)ghost seeking revenge for its own death
C)reanimated corpse,much like a zombie
D)soul that resided in Valhalla after dying in battle
Q5) The majority of Americans believe there is a Heaven.
A)True
B)False
Q6) Examples of endocannibalistic anthropophagers are the Yanomamö and the Fore.
A)True
B)False
Page 10
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Chapter 9: Gods and Spirits
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58 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Robin Horton proposed that which of the following is a variable that explains variation in the nature of gods in different societies?:
A)how often people in that society encounter other people and the world outside their own community
B)the degree to which an individual's status in the society is ascribed or achieved
C)the severity of childrearing practices in regards to feeding and toilet training
D)both a and b are true
Q2) A god who withdraws from active interactions with the world is a(n)
A)otiose god
B)attribute god
C)trickster god
D)creator god
Q3) Example of Dani spirits are:
A)ghosts
B)personal and clan guardian spirits
C)forest and swamp spirits
D)all of the above
Q4) What role did goddesses play in ancient religions?
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11
Chapter 10: Witchcraft
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47 Verified Questions
47 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A granary has collapsed seriously injuring a man who was working underneath it.An Azande would be most like to blame the injury upon sorcery.
A)True
B)False
Q2) In contrast to the Gwari of West Africa,Nupe witches are always female.It appears to be due to the fact that:
A)Nupe wives engage in activities that their husbands cannot control B)political power is vested in female chiefs who rule through their husbands and brothers
C)women sexuality and fertility is viewed as dangerous and powerful D)the Nupe were influenced by Christian missionaries at the time of Witchcraze in Europe
Q3) Among the Azande witchcraft is basically evil,but it is good when it is directed at enemies.
A)True
B)False
Q4) How does a belief in witchcraft among the Azande regulate human conduct?
Q5) Explain the differences between witchcraft and sorcery.
Q6) What were the bases of witchcraft accusations during the Witchcraze in Europe?
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Chapter 11: Syncretism and Religious Movements
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55 Verified Questions
55 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Many religious groups develop by branching off of established mainstream religions.The groups that remain mainstream and differ the least from the origin religion are called:
A)cults
B)sects
C)denominations
D)movements
Q2) A remote,isolated society that nevertheless uses manufactured clothing and canned goods received from the outside is said to be assimilated.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Vodou resembles in many ways traditional West African religions in that Vodou is characterized by:
A)pantheon of intermediary deities
B)spirit possession
C)offerings placed on altars
D)all of the above
Q4) What are some of the strategies used by high demand religions to maintain member's affiliation with the group?
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